Samsara Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina Vineyard 2015

Once he took over Melville, Chad looked to sell his Samsara side project that he had started with his wife. He sold it to Dave and Joan Szkutak, a similarly passionate wine family who were ecstatic to break into such a great location in the Sta. Rita Hills.

They got the winemaking facility, the vineyards and the contracts from Chad along with a parting gift that they didn’t even know they were receiving at first – Chad’s 2015 single-vineyard Rancho La Vina Vineyard Pinot Noir armed with a fresh 94-point score from the most respected wine publication in the world, The Wine Advocate.

Of course, Chad’s Pinot has it all. Parker’s Wine Advocate highlights the, “tons of vibrant energy” the “pleasantly chewy-tannins” and even the “juicy freshness” three hallmarks of great Pinot Noir. And the best part? With a little age to this library wine, it is so stinking good right now – it should enjoy its prime from now thru the next 3-5 years.

Here’s where the best part comes in. This gorgeous Sta. Rita Hills Pinot was released at the winery for $58/bottle but due to the changing of hands in 2017, didn’t get a proper release party. That means that there were 12 cases just sitting there for the taking, and I locked into them all at an outrageously good price.